Bucks close out Texas two-step, visit Rockets

The Milwaukee Bucks snapped a three-game losing streak in Dallas on Tuesday and will continue through the Lone Star State Wednesday when they take on the Houston Rockets.

The Bucks bested the Mavs 95-90 on Tuesday, thanks to a large fourth-quarter effort. Milwaukee won the final frame, 29-20 to end, not just a three-game slide, but a three-game losing streak all by three points or fewer.

Monta Ellis had a spectacular all-around game against Dallas. He went off for a game-high 22 points, but also handed out nine assists and pocketed six steals.

“Monta was incredible all night long. He was all over the floor,” Bucks interim head coach Jim Boylan said.

J.J. Redick scored 14 off the bench in just his second game in a Bucks uniform. Larry Sanders ran his streak of consecutive games with a blocked shot to 37 and had 13 points and 13 rebounds. Mike Dunleavy also netted 13 and Ersan Ilyasova scored 10 points.

The Bucks suspended center Samuel Dalembert for one game prior to the Mavericks start. The veteran center lost his spot in the starting lineup to Sanders and was suspended for a violation of team policy. He is expected to be in uniform Wednesday night.

The Rockets have been off since Saturday’s disappointing road loss to the Washington Wizards, 105-103. Houston allowed an offensive rebound to Bradley Beal when Emeka Okafor missed his second free throw with less that six seconds on the clock.

The setback on Saturday ended a two-game winning streak, although the team has taken five straight in the Toyota Center.

James Harden went for 27 against the Wiz and Chandler Parsons added 24. None of the Rockets newly-acquired players (Thomas Robinson, Francisco Garcia and Tyler Honeycutt) were in uniform Saturday, but all are expected to be available Wednesday except Honeycutt, who was assigned to the D-League.

Carlos Delfino started in place of the traded Patrick Patterson, but the Rockets announced on Tuesday that Donatas Motiejunas will get the start on Wednesday.

“He’s gotten a lot stronger, he’s gotten better, he’s really been diligent and he’s been patient,” said Houston head coach Kevin McHale. “I know he really wanted to play earlier; in fact he’s one of the few guys who ever said, ‘Put me down in the D-League, I need to play more.’ He just keeps working hard and he’s going to get his chance.”

The Rockets took the only meeting between the two teams this season, a 115-101 victory on Jan. 4 in Milwaukee. The Bucks have lost 12 of their last 14 in Houston.

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